HMO consultations now live
People can now have their say on proposals to ensure safe homes and fair standards in houses of multiple occupation as consultations go live.
Earlier this month, at a meeting of Telford & Wrekin Council’s Cabinet, members approved a consultation on proposals to introduce additional licensing and an Article 4 direction for smaller HMO (houses in multiple occupation) properties.
As the consultation looks at two separate measures, it will be delivered through two surveys. One survey will ask people to comment on proposals for additional licensing and the other to comment on the introduction of Article 4.
The additional licensing consultation will run from now (16 December) to 11 March 2026, while the Article 4 Direction consultation will run until 10 February 2026 – this is in line with statutory guidelines.
A number of drop-in sessions are being held where people can find out more about the proposals on:
- Thursday 18 December at Meeting Point House from 4 to 6pm
- Thursday 15 January at The Anstice from 5 to 7pm
- Tuesday 27 January at Cosy Hall, Newport from 5 to 7pm
- Friday 20 February at Ketley Community Centre from 5 to 7pm (focus on additional licensing consultation)
- Thursday 5 March at Meeting Point House from 5 to 7pm (focus on additional licensing consultation)
People will be able to complete the consultations online at the drop-in sessions as devices will be available to use.
Currently across Telford and Wrekin, only HMOs that accommodate five or more people, forming two or more households are subject to mandatory licensing.
While HMOs with more than six people are also subject to full planning permission and those with six people or less can be established through permitted development rights.
The Article 4 direction would remove the option for landlords of these smaller HMOs to use permitted development rights and would therefore require them to seek planning permission for a new HMO, regardless of size. Existing HMOs would be unaffected by the planning changes.
The planning changes would allow the Council to know where all new HMOs are located and to consider their impact on the wider community and local services.
The additional licensing proposals would mean all HMO properties would be inspected for safety and hazard compliance and landlords would be required to manage issues such as anti-social behaviour. This element would apply to all HMO both existing and new.
Councillor Richard Overton, Deputy Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council and Cabinet Member for Highways, Housing and Enforcement, said:
“We want to make sure that homes in the HMO sector are safe, well-managed and meet fair standards, and the proposals we’ve put forward are designed to help us achieve that.
“The consultation is now live, and this is the moment when people’s voices are essential. Nothing has been decided yet, and we need residents, landlords and community organisations to tell us what they think so that any future approach is balanced, transparent and genuinely shaped by local people.
“Your feedback at this stage will guide what happens next, and we’re keen to hear from as many people as possible before any final decisions are taken.”
People can find out more and have their say on the proposals online.